Some of the best trail runners around will tackle the terrain just outside of Moab on Saturday during the Trail Marathon National Championships. Spots in the marathon, half-marathon and 5k events are all full with 1,100 total runners expected to take part. The 26-mile, 385-yard marathon will have 50 elite runners toeing the starting line.

Racing starts at 9 a.m. with top marathoners expected to finish in less than three hours. A special kids’ race, which features running through an arch and cave, is still open for registrants. Parents may sign up their children on Friday at Milt’s Stop and Eat between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. or race morning from 7 to 9 a.m.

The marathon course includes trails along the Kane Creek Corridor, such as Pritchett Canyon, Hunter Canyon and Jackson Trail. Top finishers will be recognized as national champions as well as splitting the $2,100 purse.

Rugged terrain and spectacular scenery bring runners from around the world to compete on the course, according to a news release. The course was designed by world-class local runner Danelle Ballengee. The course actually crosses the path of Ballengee’s famous fall in 2006. After the accident, she survived a 60-foot fall and two freezing nights with a shattered pelvis. Her dog, Taz, and neighbor, Dorothy Rossignol, were widely credited with helping to save Ballengee’s life by alerting authorities and, in the case of Taz, leading search and rescue volunteers to the site of her injury

This year, local race organizers have coupled with the Project Athena Foundation to benefit the nonprofit organization that helps women return to challenging activities after suffering trauma or setbacks.

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